Life — February 6, 1919 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a single satirical cartoon from *Life* magazine (page 205) depicting three figures in formal dress. The caption identifies two characters: **The Girl's Father** asks about marriage prospects, inquiring what the suitor's "worldly goods" consist of. **The Suitor** responds by listing his assets: "nine German helmets, a handful of iron crosses and a part of the crown prince's suspenders," concluding with "Take her, my boy." The satire targets post-WWI economic conditions and the devaluation of German military memorabilia. The suitor's "wealth" consists entirely of worthless war souvenirs—German military items stripped of value after Germany's defeat. This mocks both the suitor's poverty and the glut of cheap war artifacts flooding the market, while also commenting on post-war economic desperation. The joke hinges on this absurd "dowry" of military junk being offered as legitimate bridal compensation.